Dave Gagnon

Dave Gagnon, Chief Executive Officer/COO

Dave, “Mr. Red Sox Nation” himself, has been known to double profits for restaurant concepts in his over 40 year’s experience. He is the Team Captain, the CEO and COO, leading the ever-increasing growth and expansion of the Cafe Rio team. With Dave’s extensive experience, he keeps the company focused on the key objectives of restaurant excellence: people development, smart and steady growth, and amazing customer service. For Dave, working at Cafe Rio is more than just a job. Dave enjoys the opportunity to teach others to be successful and grow as people and business leaders. He sees Cafe Rio as “an amazing culture, with amazing people with the most delicious food.” Just like a team manager should be.

Dave is another incredibly smart guy. What is it with Cafe Rio and their smart executive team? He graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Massachusetts and served in the United States Marine Corps. Siemper Fi!

He and his wife Donna split time between Annapolis, MD and Marblehead, MA. They have three children and four grandchildren. Outside of work, Dave vehemently follows three Major League Baseball teams, the Boston Red Sox, the Boston Red Sox and the Boston Red Sox. (He hasn’t been very happy this year what with them having a horrible season and all, but he’ll get over it). He also thinks the New England Patriots and the Boston Celtics are pretty special too. What does this Boston Native eat at Cafe Rio? “Anything… with Sweet Pork Barbocoa. Ka-pow!”